Mom Of 4 Kills Self After Being Wrongly Accused Of Having S*x With Underage Boy

A mother-of-four has killed herself after losing custody of her children over false accusations she had sex with an underage boy.

Support worker Sheila Griffin, 36, had been acquitted of sex charges following a trial by jury, but three of her four children had already moved in with their father and she had to fight him for contact, an inquest heard.

After battling depression and following four attempted overdoses, Mrs Griffin, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester was found dead in bed by her grandmother.In the run up to her death on October 15 last year she had complained of being let down by the system and had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital saying she had ‘to get help to face her demons that she just couldn’t fight alone.’

Two days before the tragedy she had been trying by text to arrange a visit to see her children at their home in Edinburgh.

The hearing was told Mrs Griffin was a ‘good mum and a lovely person’ and had enjoyed playing rugby in her teens. She was with husband Chris for 18 years having met him when she was just 14.

But after they split up, she was accused of sexual activity with a child in 2012. She had to face trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, before being found not guilty in 2014.

Mrs Griffin’s grandmother Sheila Noakes told the Heywood hearing: ‘Sheila was a bubbly but passive person and had difficulties sticking up for herself.

‘Her ex husband Chris had the children every other week but that contact and access was not an easy arrangement and Sheila had difficulties communicating with him.

‘That deteriorated and he would not communicate with her at all. Then in 2012 allegations were made against Sheila for criminal activity. Although she was found not guilty, she could never talk about it.

‘It also had an effect in terms of her family arrangements because around this time Chris was given temporary custody of the children. Chris got custody because the children had to be with him and it was not Sheila’s fault.

‘As a result of Chris getting full custody Sheila began to drink more and take painkillers.

‘After that Sheila had difficulties maintaining contact with the children. Chris made it really hard for her. The most obvious trigger was when she had contact with her ex husband and she would go on a real downer.’